Laurie Feldon
Assistant Director
Georgetown University Law Center
This month WALRAA is proud to shine a spotlight on Laurie Feldon! Laurie is an Assistant Dean at Georgetown University Law Center. Read more to learn about how she got started in the field, goals she has set for herself, and more.
How long have you been a member of WALRAA? What has been your favorite experience so far?
I have been with WALRAA just shy of 5 years. And, oh my goodness has that time flown by! My favorite experience has been attending the education conferences, and this year was no different. I am always blown away by how committed, curious, and engaged WALRAA members are. I really enjoy being able to collaborate on the best ways to help law students succeed in this rapidly changing market. And, of course, I love going to WALRAA happy hours and connecting with my fellow members!
How has WALRAA helped you in your field?
Being able to connect with like-minded professionals, both in law schools and firms, is integral to this job! WALRAA gives space for important conversations that are necessary for continued professional growth in this field, and I know that I serve my students better after meeting with other WALRAA members and hearing what my colleagues are thinking and doing out in the field.
How did you first learn about and get started in Attorney Recruiting/Career Services?
Although I had grand plans going into law school, I felt completely lost once things actually got going. Thankfully, I turned to my career center (admittedly a little later than I wish!) and the career counselors gave me two of the rarest commodities in law school – guidance and support. As a practicing attorney, I found myself drawn to working with law student interns, fellows, and young attorneys in the hope of providing them a bit of the mentorship that I yearned for as a student. After a while, I realized that mentoring young attorneys was the part of my job that I most enjoyed. The job change from practicing attorney to career advisor feels like an actual lightbulb moment. The day I decided that I wanted a change, I looked at my alma mater’s job board – and there was an opening in the career center. Total kismet. I haven’t looked back since!
What is your favorite moment of your career so far?
My favorite moment is every time I get the news that one of my students found a job that they worked so hard to get! Thank you notes and, even better, a trip to the office for congratulatory hugs are the best.
What is it that challenges you most in your job?
Trying to make sure I don’t fully ride the job search rollercoaster with my students. When you work with students so closely, it is hard not to feel everything with them. So finding balance between providing empathy and support with some real world guidance is something I work on every day.
How do you balance your career and personal life?
I am a mom to a very active three year old, so there is a pretty clear-cut stop to my first full-time job into the next. I want to be fully present when I get home, so I try and have a policy that I don’t look at work things after 6. I am still very much working on this, but I try!
What professional goals have you set for yourself this year?
I’m really lucky that I reached one of my professional goals for this year! Every time I leave an educational conference, I come back completely jazzed and buzzing with ideas. I knew that I wanted to become more involved and I love creating and presenting programming. I am honored to be co-presenting this year at both the Professional Development Institute (on counseling neurodivergent students) and at NALP’s Annual Conference (on AI in recruitment). Working on these has been an incredible highlight! Additionally, I am working on keeping up to date on the goings-on in the recruitment world, both by going to more events and reading articles.
What is the best professional advice you have received?
Be gentle with yourself. There is a huge pressure, particularly in the legal world, to always perform at the highest level. It is easy to burn out if you are pushing yourself too hard. When you are kind to yourself, you are more likely to believe in your abilities, even in challenging times. How you talk to yourself is a habit, so showing yourself some compassion and taking a break when needed is going to help you stay healthy, confident, and focused for the long haul.
What do you like to do for fun?
For the last year, I have been trying to perfect my wheel pottery skills! I love getting my hands dirty and (attempting) to make something beautiful (to me :)). Plus, I’ve been super lucky that my studio is an amazing community of potters from all walks of life. I am also a big fan of live band karaoke, impromptu dance parties with my husband, son, and ridiculously fluffy dog, and getting to know DC all over again through the eyes of my son.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
I used to be in a cover band! I still get to jam with my former bandmates every now and then, but now I get my singing fix by taking vocal lessons, doing karaoke, and belting musicals in my car.
